James Blunt Joins Alex Warren for Orchestral 'Ordinary' at BRITs 2026
Alex Warren brought an orchestral take on his hit 'Ordinary' to the 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester, joined on piano by james blunt. The moment punctuated a night in which Olivia Dean collected four trophies and ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ 'APT' claimed International Song of the Year.
Co-op Live Arena hosted the BRIT Awards on February 28
The annual ceremony took place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday night (February 28). The show featured multiple tributes and headline collaborations across its running order and concluded with a series of live performances that highlighted both mainstream winners and surprise pairings.
Alex Warren performs 'Ordinary' with a string section
Warren delivered a stirring orchestral rendition of 'Ordinary' later in the programme, the performance built around a lush string section. He had acknowledged the UK’s role in the song’s rise, saying the country was where 'Ordinary' first broke and changed his life last year and that he was grateful for fans’ support and eager to bring a big BRITs performance for the first time.
James Blunt on piano for orchestral arrangement
On stage with Warren, James Blunt provided piano accompaniment, reinforcing the arrangement’s stripped-back, orchestral feel. The pairing underscored the song’s radio and streaming achievements while presenting it in a live format distinct from its chart incarnation; james blunt’s presence on piano framed the performance’s more intimate tone.
Olivia Dean wins four BRITs including Artist, Album and Song of the Year
Olivia Dean emerged as the night’s biggest winner, walking away with four gongs. Among those wins were Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year—this last prize went to Dean and Sam Fender’s 'Rein Me In'. The awards tally highlighted the commercial and critical momentum behind Dean across the eligibility period.
International Song of the Year: ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ 'APT'
'Ordinary' had been nominated for International Song of the Year but lost out to ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ 'APT', which was awarded the prize. The defeat came despite 'Ordinary' being the most played song on British radio in 2025 and having become the longest-running UK Number One by a US artist so far this decade.
'Ordinary' streaming and radio impact
Across 2025 the track’s reach was substantial: by the end of the year it was announced that 'Ordinary' had been the most-streamed song of the 2020s over the course of the year, accumulating around 750 million streams. That widespread airplay and streaming presence helps explain why it was shortlisted for a major international award, even if it did not win the category.
